How Long Do Crocs Last (And How to Extend Lifespan)

How long do Crocs last?

Crocs were designed to survive extinction-level events, the apocalypse, and total climate collapse.

When humanity is gone, Crocs will inherit the Earth.

OK, just kidding.

In my experience, Crocs last about 2 years with regular wear and tear, but can last up to 5 years with proper care.

Personally, I’ve had mine for almost 5 years now. I wear them exclusively indoors in a clean environment where they encounter little to no “stress”. By “stress” I mean things like rocks or substances like oil or grease.

It all depends though. So let’s take a deep dive into the ins and outs of their lifespan, then cover a few ways to help you make them last longer.

How Long do Crocs Last?: The Basics

Crocs are made of a Space Age, rubber-like material called Croslite that makes them extra shock-absorbant, impervious to normal liquids, and highly durable.

Let me just cover a bit of the basics here. This is what you can expect “in general”.

Heavy use: Your Crocs should last at least 2 years without wearing out under heavy use. This means walking outdoors, in rugged environments, stepping over salted roads in winter, running around indoors, and exposing them to chemicals (like in a factory).
Moderate use: I classify moderate use as daily use inside for at least 25 hours a week. This is like a nursing home, hospital, normal restaurant or cafe - that type of thing. Even if you’re on your feet all day, as long as the environment is clean and low-stress (for the shoe), you can get a good 5 years out of a solid pair of Crocs.
“I barely use these things”: If you just lounge around the house or sit at work without moving much, then put your Crocs in your will. These bad boys aren’t going anywhere any time soon.

What Not to do With Your Crocs

Crocs were not made to traverse the Oregon Trail and take you to the promised land. Some Crocs are made for the outdoors, but even then, they aren’t really your typical “outdoor” shoe like a hiking boot. Outdoor Crocs will probably last about 1-2 years with regular use. For now, let’s stick to indoor Crocs.

You’ll wear out the outsoles in no time if you take them off road. Actually, I don’t recommend taking them outside much at all if you can help it.

Avoid all of the following with Crocs as much as possible:

Hiking
Camping
Running
Jogging
Working out

Every once in a while is OK, but too much and you’ll wear out the grip on the sole. Crocs are made with these little rubber nubs that grip the ground and prevent you from cracking your head open in an embarrassing work fall. The more you take them outdoors, the more you’ll wear out that grip and expose yourself to danger.

TL;DR: Wear your Crocs indoors as much as possible.

How to Make Your Crocs Last Longer

Like anything else, anything you can do to reduce the stress on your Crocs will help them last longer (duh!). With that in mind, make sure you do as much as you can to keep yours out of harm's way.

Here are the best ways in my experience:

Don’t drag your feet while walking at work. This wears out the sole faster.
Don’t walk outside in the snow, especially when there is salt on the road.
Clean your Crocs at least once a month, preferably more. I clean mine at least once a week or any time there’s too much dirt, oil, or cleaner on them.
Avoid rough terrain at all times. These aren’t hiking shoes.
If you have a tight fitting shoe, sit down and take them off like a real human being. Please don’t kick them off with your foot and smash the heel down like my husband does.
Don’t run or perform any rigorous exercise in them. This not only puts too much stress on the shoe, it’s dangerous. There isn’t enough ankle support and Crocs aren’t rigid enough to keep your foot aligned when making exercise-type movements.
If you work in a factory, lab, restaurant, or other environment where chemicals may be present, try to avoid them as much as possible. Cleaning chemicals are one of the few substances that could actually harm your shoes.

The good news is that, even if you don't exercise much caution, Crocs are durable enough to last 2-3 years anyway. That’s why I recommend them to so many people. A comfortable, durable, pain-relieving shoe that lasts 3 years and only costs $40? Yes, please.

When to Replace Your Crocs?

There is no hard and fast rule for replacing your Crocs.

You need to just play it by ear. Check the treads and see if they’re worn out. Is the strap still tight? Are there any tears? Do they smell like a locker room no matter how much you clean them?

It really all comes down to comfort and safety.

A worn tread could lead to slips, especially for waitresses and baristas. Just stay alert at work. If you notice your feet don’t grip the ground as well anymore, then it’s probably best to throw them out and get a new pair.

Of course, if they are scuffed to all get out and starting to cramp your style, then just get a new pair and save the embarrassment.

In general, you should replace Crocs every 5 years if you use them at work. But if you use them exclusively indoors in a non-slippery environment, then there’s really no need to replace them at all if you ask me.

Verdict - How Long do Crocs Last?

Crocs should last anywhere from 2-5 years depending on how much you use them.

In my experience, they can last up to 10 years or even more if you just use them lightly around the house and garden.

If you need them for working in a slippery environment, then pay special attention to the non-slip tread. If you notice you're not as stable on slippery surfaces as you used to be, just replace them. They’re covered under a 90-day warranty too, by the way, in case they’re defective.

Avoid using them outdoors if possible, and be sure to avoid rugged terrain or salt on the roads.

Crocs will last a long time if used properly and taken care of. That’s why I always say Crocs are worth it. For about $40-$50, you’ll get a safe, comfortable, durable shoe that could last 5 years or more. What’s not to like?

F.A.Q

Q: Do Crocs get worn out?

A: Yes, the tread on your Crocs will eventually wear out under regular use, but could last up to 5 years or more depending on how well you take care of them.

Q: Are Crocs durable?

A: Yes, Crocs are highly durable. They’re made of Croslite, a durable, lightweight, and shock-absorbing material that is meant to last up to 10 years.

Q: Do Crocs mold to your feet?

A: Yes, Crocs will mold to the contours of your feet. That’s actually one of the best things about them! They eventually fit your feet perfectly, adding extra comfort and pain relief.